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Friday Open Thread

Bob Dylan's new song, Murder Most Fowl, about the JFK assassination is really, really good. It's 16 minutes long and I listened to it twice in a row, the time flew.


Who is surprised that Jack Abramoff is headed back to prison for a new fraud crime? He's agreed to cooperate for a lesser sentence. (Documents here) [More...]

Roger Stone is seeking a 60 day reprieve on reporting to prison. According to the prosecutors, the Government doesn't object and says no special treatment is involved, the Government's standard policy is to agree to such requests for all defendants, unless they are a safety risk or danger. (Added: The Judge did object and granted him only 14 days and put him under home detention for the 14 days so he doesn't get sick and infect others when he gets to the institution.

I think we need to rename the Coronavirus on this site. Which do you think of "TrumpVirus"?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

< Mike Pence's Coronavirus Task Force Briefing | 9k New Cases Today in Florida >
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  • Display: Sort:
    Meanwhile (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jun 26, 2020 at 04:40:08 PM EST
    on the Russian front
    "American intelligence officials have concluded that a Russian military intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing coalition forces in Afghanistan -- including targeting American troops -- amid the peace talks to end the long-running war there," the newspaper reported,"
    Of course tRump will always protect our troops
    "The intelligence finding was briefed to President Trump, and the White House's National Security Council discussed the problem at an interagency meeting in late March, the officials said. Officials developed a menu of potential options -- starting with making a diplomatic complaint to Moscow and a demand that it stop, along with an escalating series of sanctions and other possible responses, but the White House has yet to authorize any step, the officials said,"
    or not.

    And yet, in June (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by desertswine on Fri Jun 26, 2020 at 06:33:15 PM EST
    Trump was still pressing for Russia to join the
    G-7.

    Parent
    Trump's lack of action against (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by MO Blue on Fri Jun 26, 2020 at 07:01:57 PM EST
    Russia for putting bounties on the heads of American soldiers, plus "Trump and the Republicans are going to take your health insurance away from you" needs to be the basis of ad after ad from now until Election Day.  

    Parent
    It could be worse (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 02:10:18 PM EST
    Also (none / 0) (#21)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 02:13:18 PM EST
    I did not think I would ever miss Trumps baggy blue suit but I hope he doesn't start doing jogging suits.

    Parent
    Doesn't have an accordion player (none / 0) (#22)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 02:17:05 PM EST
    yet

    Parent
    That is flat up unbelievable (none / 0) (#24)
    by Peter G on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 02:45:46 PM EST
    Is the "singer" and accordion "player" Bolsonaro's brother-in-law or something? As an antidote, here's the great Marian Anderson (Schubert version), a native of South Philadelphia, with Stokowski conducting (presumably the Philadelphia Orchestra).

    Parent
    At first you think (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 04:43:35 PM EST
    Wait, this can't be real.

    Parent
    The Version Ms Anderson Sang (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by RickyJim on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 05:07:04 PM EST
    is the original English version of Ellens Gesang III from Scott's "Lady of the Lake" which Schubert set in German.  The Schubert melody is also used sometimes with the Rosary prayer which also begins with the words Ave Maria. The accordionist was attempting the so called Bach-Gounod version.

    Parent
    Best (none / 0) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 05:22:26 PM EST
    And just because (none / 0) (#30)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 05:35:24 PM EST
    Carl Reiner dead at 98. (5.00 / 3) (#114)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 08:50:40 AM EST
    Rest in Peace. A comic genius for at least three generations.

    2 days after (5.00 / 1) (#115)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 09:32:24 AM EST
    Can we stop saying the stock market (5.00 / 1) (#122)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 04:52:00 PM EST
    Has anything to do with the actual economy now?

    "U.S. stocks wrapped up their best quarter in more than 20 years, a remarkable rally after the coronavirus pandemic brought business around the world to a virtual standstill," the Wall Street Journal reports.

    "Just three months ago, investors were lamenting the end of the bull market--and the longest economic expansion on record--after major U.S. stock indexes lost about 35% of their value in less than six weeks. The subsequent rebound has been nearly as brisk."



    Which is it? (5.00 / 1) (#123)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 04:58:16 PM EST
    This is the plan (5.00 / 1) (#141)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 07:48:35 AM EST
    It's the only plan they have.  And it might have worked except for the punchline at the very end.

    unfit for office

    The punchline is of course Trumps own voice reminding people of the source.

    This is going to be the meanest nastiest worse election ever.

    It will be non stop (none / 0) (#142)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 07:52:05 AM EST
    President Trump falsely accused Joe Biden of pre-screening questions at a press conference Tuesday in Wilmington, Delaware.

    But two reporters at the press conference who spoke to the Daily Beast on the condition of anonymity said the campaign had not pre-screened questions.



    Parent
    One more (none / 0) (#143)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 08:00:17 AM EST
    He really seems to think he can motivate enough racists to win.  I think most people don't see that happening.  But he is definitely going to try. And try to tear the country apart.

    President Trump threatened to veto the defense spending bill--unless a requirement in it to rename U.S. military bases that honor Confederate leaders is dropped, CNN reports.

    The legislation funds the Pentagon and is often one of the few pieces of legislation that Congress can be counted on to pass each year in order to fund the country's military operations.



    Parent
    It is fitting that he wants to go down (5.00 / 1) (#145)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 08:58:09 AM EST
    defending losers and traitors. He will be forever remembered in history books as one of them. A loser and a traitor.


    Parent
    No more of Jared's "woke sh!t" (none / 0) (#148)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 11:25:04 AM EST
    President Trump has told people in recent days that he regrets following Jared Kushner's "political advice -- including supporting criminal justice reform -- and will stick closer to his own instincts," Axios reports.

    "One person who spoke with the president interpreted his thinking this way: `No more of Jared's woke sh!t.' Another said Trump has indicated that following Kushner's advice has harmed him politically."

    "The sources said the president has resolved to stick to his instincts and jettison any policies that go against them, including ambitious police reform."

    His own instincts

    President Trump said painting "Black Lives Matter" on New York's Fifth Avenue would be "a symbol of hate" and wind up "denigrating" the street outside of Trump Tower, the Washington Post reports.



    Parent
    Vetoing defense (5.00 / 2) (#150)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 12:26:06 PM EST
    spending in the face of acquiescence to Putin's murder for hire of American's in military service does not seem to be a good campaign bet.  A competition between dead Confederate traitors and living American patriots.

    Parent
    Breaking point (none / 0) (#152)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 12:35:50 PM EST
    Playbook: "Well, here we are again. The question hanging over Washington is whether President Trump will veto the National Defense Authorization Act -- the Pentagon policy bill that has been signed into law for 59 consecutive years."

    "At issue is whether the United States should consider stripping military bases of their Confederate namesakes. Trump says no. Congress looks like it will say yes, America should no longer honor these men. If it ends up in the bill -- which it will -- the president says he'll veto it."

    "In other words, the president says he will side with deceased former Confederate generals over expected bipartisan majorities in the Congress."



    Parent
    Trump is obvious (none / 0) (#149)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 12:06:40 PM EST
    in his worry for the powerfulness and effectiveness of Biden's speech and Q & A.  Biden's performance knocks the legs off from under the literal stool that is his campaign.

    Biden and his advisors do their homework.  Not so difficult to anticipate questions the press might ask---Russia, COVID-19.  But then, Trump projects on cheating.  Probably still stung by that tough, out-of-the-blue question to him from Hannity---what are your priorities for a second term?

    Of course, Hannity will be more careful in the future after being admonished by Grassley for his unfair treatment of poor Trump.  And, that FOX is not helping Trump.

    Parent

    If he "follows his instincts" (none / 0) (#151)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 12:28:31 PM EST
    I really think it might get to a breaking point with elected republicans.  Or some of them at least.

    The daily excuse is that Trumps intel briefer (identified as "she") chose not to tell Trump about the bounty story.

    They seem truly unable to understand that what most people find unacceptable is that after a week of this story Trump has not said a word about it.  No assurances there would be consequences.  No words of false comfort for the troops or their families  

    It's kind of unimaginable. If he takes this path his approval is headed for the low 30s.  And I actually think he might quit.

    Parent

    Mesmerizing.. (5.00 / 1) (#153)
    by desertswine on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 12:38:49 PM EST
    This is great (5.00 / 2) (#164)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 06:04:24 PM EST
    Stay home (5.00 / 1) (#179)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 10:01:36 AM EST
    I was just at my doctors office getting blood drawn for my yearly Dr visit next week.  I was talking to the nurse about how they are really worried about the 4th.  She kept reminding me to stay home.  

    Reading around there is a real fear it could be a tipping point.

    Dr. Anthony Fauci "discouraged Americans from attending events like President Trump's upcoming fireworks display at Mount Rushmore, pointing out that a large gathering of people in close proximity goes against best practices for stopping the spread of the coronavirus," Politico reports.

    "Trump's fireworks display on Mount Rushmore has already garnered fierce backlash for its disregard for social-distancing measures. More than 7,000 people are expected to attend."

    I am fortunate, I guess, that I can see my towns fireworks which are usually pretty good from my living room.   Better view from my roof but I expect to be in the living room.

    Ghislaine Maxwell charged (5.00 / 1) (#181)
    by McBain on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 10:55:23 AM EST
    Link
    Maxwell is charged with enticement and conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, transportation and conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and two counts of perjury, according to a federal indictment unsealed Thursday.
    "In particular, from at least in or about 1994, up to an including at least in or about 1997, Maxwell assisted, facilitated, and contributed to Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of minor girls by, among other things, helping Epstein to recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse victims known to Maxwell and Epstein to be under the age of 18," the indictment says.

    I finished Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich on Netflix a while ago.  Kinda like the Michael Jackson documentary, Leaving Neverland, the accusers come across as very credible.  

    Amazing (5.00 / 1) (#182)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 11:56:14 AM EST
    Trump has made saying the quiet part out loud mainstream.  Ultimately good for us I think.

    "I'm concerned about voter registration in Mississippi. The blacks are having lots of events for voter registration. People in Mississippi have to get involved, too."

    -- Mississippi election commissioner Gail Welch, quoted by the Hattiesburg American.

    The walk back of this will probably be entertaining

    Ummmmm (5.00 / 1) (#183)
    by Zorba on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 12:27:33 PM EST
    So blacks aren't "people"?
    This is ugly.  I'm somehow not surprised, but it's ugly.
    Let's see if there is even an attempted "walk back."  This is Mississippi we're talking about, after all.

    Parent
    Mississippi (none / 0) (#185)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 12:32:48 PM EST
    Who has been basking in the (somewhat overblown, as in WFT took you so long) praise for their "wokeness" in dropping the Stars & Bars from the state flag.

    I expect pushback and walk back.  Maybe even an early retirement

    Parent

    can't get much more racist (5.00 / 1) (#184)
    by MO Blue on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 12:31:47 PM EST
    "People" in Mississippi have to get involved too.

    People are getting involved in Mississippi. They just happen to be "the blacks"

    The walk back from Gail Welch needs to be her walking back out the door after she loses her position.

    Parent

    Even worse (none / 0) (#186)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 12:48:42 PM EST
    She, the ELECTION COMMISSIONER, is "concerned" because people (or whatever she considers them) are registering to vote.

    That's the state election commissioner.  Did I mention that.

    Amazing.

    Parent

    She's the "Beat 1" commissioner.  

    Welch's district spans north Laurel and the Shady Grove and Sharon communities.

    She's been the commissioner there for 20 years. Laurel has a population of around 18,500, no idea of the population of "north" Laurel.

    But Welch, who has been the Beat 1 commissioner for 20 years, said although the comment may appear racist, her intent was far from it.

    "We've always in the past had whites really participating in registering to vote. So many people don't seem to be concerned about (voting)."

    Also an interesting comment by her...

    Parent
    She doesn't think she is a racist (none / 0) (#190)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 01:34:07 PM EST
    That's not what she meant to say.  

    The problem is when people say stuff like this it's usually a accidental glimpse of who the are.  And how the think.  Trust me.   I'm willing to bet I know lots more unintentional racists than you.

    This person may or may not be a racist.  But this episode will make her think about what she says at least.  If not what she thinks.

    Parent

    It's Mississippi. (none / 0) (#192)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 01:41:23 PM EST
    I need no convincing.

    Parent
    Right, she is not "the" state election (none / 0) (#191)
    by Peter G on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 01:36:14 PM EST
    commissioner; she is only "an" election commissioner for her county. That makes it a lot better. As I said earlier ....

    Parent
    FRT (none / 0) (#193)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 01:52:44 PM EST
    She did not say she was worried about registration in whatever county.

    She said

    I'm concerned about voter registration in Mississippi.



    Parent
    "Blame yourself" (5.00 / 1) (#187)
    by desertswine on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 12:49:54 PM EST
    Herman Cain is being treated for coronavirus.  He was at Tulsa and hopefully is blaming himself.

    Lots of people are saying (5.00 / 1) (#189)
    by Peter G on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 01:27:28 PM EST
    there's an effective treatment, called 9-9-9.

    Parent
    If not getting the virus (none / 0) (#194)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 02:02:37 PM EST
    at the Tulsa Trumpapolooza, maybe in Ubeki,beki,beki stan.  He does travel a lot

    Parent
    I think you are a Peter Baker fan (5.00 / 1) (#195)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 02:15:43 PM EST
    He just said in response to the question why does Trump keep saying this is just going to "go away"?

    "Well, history shows that eventually these terrible pandemics DO go away....."

    Of course going on to explain that this might take years.

    The opening just made me laugh out loud.

    Parent

    If only Peter Baker's (none / 0) (#197)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 03:06:58 PM EST
    hair was bottle blond, he would be a perfect White House spokesperson.   If only.

    Parent
    yah, and the covidiot (none / 0) (#196)
    by leap on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 02:20:13 PM EST
    did not wear a mask, and neither did most the other people seated in the black section of the rally. (Guess they had to seat them all together like that or you wouldn't be able to see them in the sea of whiteness. Where's Waldo, and all that.)

    Parent
    Fed up (none / 0) (#198)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 03:52:15 PM EST
    Less than 24 hours before Herman Cain was hospitalized with coronavirus, he tweeted about President Trump's July 4th celebration at Mt. Rushmore: "Masks will not be mandatory for the event, which will be attended by President Trump. PEOPLE ARE FED UP!"



    Parent
    Karma (5.00 / 1) (#200)
    by MO Blue on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 04:23:52 PM EST
    In action.

    Parent
    Racialist to the core. (1.00 / 3) (#139)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 07:27:18 AM EST
    California Legislature Votes to Strike `the State Shall Not Discriminate' from Constitution

    So much for MLK's dream.

    Better than racist to the core (5.00 / 2) (#144)
    by Yman on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 08:20:09 AM EST
    But the sudden concern with discrimination among the rightwing is very touching, as is their selective distortion of MLK's dream.

    Parent
    Right wing? (1.00 / 3) (#146)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 09:44:02 AM EST
    It is the Dems that have supported and implemented racially discriminatory preferences for over a century. The game is the same, only the client group changes.

    I see that Woody Wilson is finally getting the recognition he so justly deserves.  With luck FDR will be next.

    Parent

    This one always gets me (5.00 / 2) (#154)
    by Yman on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 12:57:33 PM EST
    Old, white guys screaming about "racially discriminatory practices" when those corrective measures work against them, after they've benefitted from discriminatory practices their whole lives.  Or better yet, when they pretend that they don't know that pre-Nixon southern Democrats are now the base of their party.  Then they call themselves the "party of Lincoln" while defending traitors who wanted to continue to own other people.

    Too funny.

    Parent

    Those who use a xenophobic handle ... (none / 0) (#155)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 02:53:21 PM EST
    ... to post comments in a blog are probably the very last people who should be casually flinging around accusations of racism.

    Woodrow Wilson was a product of his times and upbringing, and his parochial views on race were very much reflective of the era in which he lived 100+ years ago. This year also marks the centennial anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which finally guaranteed women the right to vote after over seven decades of political activism dating back to the 1848 Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, NY.

    That's not to say that the then-prevailing conventional wisdom which existed a century ago is somehow still acceptable, when it is clearly not. Rather, it is that socio-political / economic conditions tend to not remain static in perpetuity, but will instead evolve and change accordingly (and sometimes radically) to meet the concurrent demands of the times in which people live.

    It's a shame that you consistently refuse to acknowledge that basic underlying tenet of human evolution, which explains why your arguments are so relentlessly retrograde and your opinions so often misinformed and outdated.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I've got to admit (none / 0) (#156)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 03:41:30 PM EST
    the xenophobic part has me stumped.

    Could you explain?

    Parent

    Is that better than (5.00 / 1) (#157)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 03:44:57 PM EST
    "Relentlessly retrograde?"

    Parent
    I rarely get past the first couple sentences of his posts...

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#163)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 05:56:20 PM EST
    this has been the white supremacist argument for decades. Anything that helped African Americans move up the ladder was discriminatory against white people. So glad to see you openly admitting who you are Jesse Helms.

    Parent
    You just don't have much to work with (none / 0) (#140)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 07:38:25 AM EST
    Agent Orange (none / 0) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 26, 2020 at 01:48:53 PM EST


    The (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jun 26, 2020 at 02:39:54 PM EST
    Orange Plague

    Parent
    Trumparona (none / 0) (#2)
    by desertswine on Fri Jun 26, 2020 at 01:58:27 PM EST


    Orange clown's boyfriend (none / 0) (#4)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Jun 26, 2020 at 02:44:54 PM EST
    Kim Jong Un now wants to nuke us. They are so much in love.

    but this is pretty funny.

    The temporarily missing handgun was not the only concern sources raised with the way Chicago police have handled evidence in the high-profile matter.

    For example, the sweatshirt Smollett wore the night of the alleged attack was apparently checked out of the evidence holding area in April 2019 -- after Smollett's first case was dropped -- by someone who signed their name as "Sig Nature," sources familiar with case said.

    Sig I hardly knew ye.

    Sig Nature - (none / 0) (#7)
    by desertswine on Fri Jun 26, 2020 at 03:49:33 PM EST
    took me awhile.

    Parent
    Me too (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by MO Blue on Fri Jun 26, 2020 at 07:04:01 PM EST
    The light bulb went off after the second read.

    Parent
    The lyrics are like American Pie (none / 0) (#6)
    by jondee on Fri Jun 26, 2020 at 03:34:14 PM EST
    if it was written by Lou Reed.

    Trump's second term priorities.. (none / 0) (#8)
    by desertswine on Fri Jun 26, 2020 at 04:16:02 PM EST
    "Well, one of the things that will be really great -- you know, the word experience is still good. I always say talent is more important than experience, I've always said that. But the word experience is a very important word. It's a very important meaning. I never did this before. I never slept over in Washington. I was in Washington, I think, 17 times, all of a sudden, I'm president of the United States. You know the story, I'm riding down Pennsylvania Avenue with our first lady and I say, this is great. But I didn't know very many people in Washington. It wasn't my thing. I was from Manhattan, from New York. Now, I know everybody and I have great people in the administration. You make some mistakes like, you know, an idiot like Bolton. All he wanted to do was drop bombs on everybody. You don't have to drop bombs on everybody. You don't have to kill people."


    Well, asking what (none / 0) (#10)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jun 26, 2020 at 04:42:44 PM EST
    goals and the ordering of priorities for a second term sounds like a trick or gotcha question. Rather than this rambler, he could have just said, briefly and candidly, that he plans to continue his march to fascism until completion. That is the priority.

    Parent
    Make (none / 0) (#11)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jun 26, 2020 at 04:46:49 PM EST
    Mo Money would also work.

    Parent
    Makin plans (none / 0) (#79)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 09:05:10 AM EST
    Eric Trump predicted to the Wall Street Journal that "after his father leaves office, the Trump Organization will launch a major expansion that will in part focus on luxury hotels abroad."

    "The company has previously eyed projects in the Middle East and China, a country the president has frequently criticized on trade, Covid-19 and other issues."



    Parent
    If this catches on it could be important (none / 0) (#15)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 26, 2020 at 07:42:27 PM EST
    Facebook and Twitter stocks dive as Unilever halts advertising

    "Given our Responsibility Framework and the polarized atmosphere in the U.S., we have decided that starting now through at least the end of the year, we will not run brand advertising in social media newsfeed platforms Facebook, Instagram and Twitter in the U.S.," the company said in a statement. "Continuing to advertise on these platforms at this time would not add value to people and society. We will be monitoring ongoing and will revisit our current position if necessary."



    Yes, an interesting meditation on social decay (none / 0) (#16)
    by Peter G on Fri Jun 26, 2020 at 10:48:45 PM EST
    and popular culture of the last 55 years, but I can't say it's a great song. One simple couplet after another with no tune. Anyway, here's the great song about the Kennedy assassination: Phil Ochs singing "Crucifixion" live in 1966, a year after it was written, with guitar only. (I apologize for the ad at the beginning; click "skip" as soon as you can.) Better than the over-orchestrated version on the album. Fortunately I got to hear him perform it live in the summer of 1968. And I like it better than his friends' Jim & Jean's perhaps better-known version.

    Dead at last... (none / 0) (#17)
    by desertswine on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 12:11:56 AM EST
    "The last of the three Ku Klux Klan members convicted in the church bombing that killed four black girls in 1963 has died in an Alabama prison. Addie Mae Collins, Cythnia Wesley, and Carole Robertson, all 14, and Denise McNair, 11, were killed by the explosion as they were changing into their choir robes on a Sunday morning at 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. Thomas E. Blanton Jr., 82, who was convicted of murder nearly four decades later, died Friday of natural causes, AL.com reports."

    Bob Dylan (none / 0) (#18)
    by leap on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 12:50:30 AM EST
    All the vocal charm of Leonard Cohen. Ugh. I like this one better.

    Bob Dylan (none / 0) (#19)
    by leap on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 12:51:58 AM EST
    All the vocal charm of Leonard Cohen. Ugh. I like this one better.

    Going to happen (none / 0) (#23)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 02:37:26 PM EST
    Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R), who has long insisted voters should decide whether to remove the Confederate emblem from the state's flag, said for the first time Saturday that he would sign a bill to change the banner if one is sent his way, the Washington Post reports.

    This morning I drove to the dispensary.  Nice day nice drive.  I have made that drive at least 10 times.  It's one of two equal distance from my house.  About 45 minutes.

    Before today I honestly do not remember seeing a confederate flag.  There might have been I did not see them.  Today I saw 3.  Different houses.  Far apart.   All prominently displayed.  

    No idea.  Maybe I'm just noticing it more.

    When I first moved to south central PA (none / 0) (#25)
    by Chuck0 on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 03:00:21 PM EST
    (Susquehanna Valley), I was surprised at the number of confederate (stars and bars) flags I would see flying or stickers on pickup trucks (It's always a pickup truck). That was before I learned of the Pennsyltucky phenomenon. PA is Pittsburgh and Philly on the ends, Alabama in the middle.

    They are also common in and around Gettysburg, but that does not surprise me.


    Parent

    More Mississippi (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 05:18:40 PM EST
    "The House and Senate are expected to act quickly this weekend to remove the Mississippi state flag, the last in the nation containing the Confederate battle emblem, after clearing the procedural path on Saturday," Mississippi Today reports.

    Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) has already said he will sign the bill.



    Parent
    On to the senate (none / 0) (#48)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 04:35:49 PM EST
    Done and done (none / 0) (#60)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 06:57:46 PM EST
    (CNN) The Mississippi state legislature -- both the House and Senate -- passed a bill on Sunday to change the state's flag in a historic step toward removing the flag's Confederate battle emblem.

    The bill will now go to Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, who has said he would sign legislation that state lawmakers send him to remove the Confederate insignia.

    Interesting they did it on Sunday.

    Parent

    It's always time for some music (5.00 / 1) (#177)
    by Peter G on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 08:39:05 AM EST
    to celebrate:
    Phil Ochs
    Nina Simone (with Greek subtitles for Zorba)

    Parent
    Love it! (none / 0) (#178)
    by Zorba on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 09:22:37 AM EST
    Nina Simone singing in English, in the Netherlands, with Greek subtitles!
    I love Nina Simone!
    BTW, the Greek word they use as a translation of "G*damn" doesn't exactly mean that- it's a bit stronger than that.  Ahem.

    Parent
    I assume they don't have a replacement (none / 0) (#63)
    by Peter G on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 08:05:44 PM EST
    yet? Just starting a design soliciting-and-approval process?


    Parent
    Told you it was going to happen (none / 0) (#66)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 08:23:59 PM EST
    About the new one (none / 0) (#93)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 10:49:32 AM EST
    The bill included the creation of a commission to design a new one

    Parent
    Lincoln Project (none / 0) (#31)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 07:55:10 PM EST
    Why does it take Republicans to do these ads? (none / 0) (#32)
    by leap on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 08:30:47 PM EST
    They are short, extremely topical, and grind away at FatNixon.

    Why aren't the Democrats doing stuff like this? Damn them.

    Parent

    I think it's as simple as (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 08:39:06 PM EST
    Republicans know how to do this.  It's what they do.  Democrats have rarely been very good at it.

    It's all people who have been making attack ads FOR republicans for years.  

    They seems to have a special talent for getting under his thin skin.

    there was this concern trolling article on POLITICO. which means it's working.

    So far they have by far done the most damage to Trump with ads.  Absolute fact.  IMO

    Parent

    honestly. just stop. (none / 0) (#35)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 11:53:34 PM EST
    I think it's as simple as Republicans know how to do this.  It's what they do.  Democrats have rarely been very good at it.

    C'mon. Stop setting yourself up for this vapid excuse that if biden loses it's because the repubs are simply better at "playing the game" and not a ya know more fundamental reason...

    Or not. It's your call.

    Parent

    Biden is not going to lose (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 06:32:52 AM EST
    Not setting up a thing.   Just stating a fact.

    Parent
    That is brutal (none / 0) (#34)
    by MO Blue on Sat Jun 27, 2020 at 10:52:20 PM EST
    Well deserved and completely accurate and goes right for the jugular.

    Would like to see that ad played nonstop from now to Election Day.

    Parent

    All their ads are so good (none / 0) (#37)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 06:35:34 AM EST
    Because they only state the gospel truth.  

    They have not said one single thing that was not true.

    Parent

    They also give the Dems cover (5.00 / 2) (#38)
    by MO Blue on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 07:37:01 AM EST
    Trump and the Republicans cannot blame Biden and the Dems for the most negative (although true) ads out there. Can't you imagine the vitriol that would be unleashed on Biden and the Dems if they had put out that ad.

    Parent
    That Bounty ad (5.00 / 2) (#39)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 09:30:29 AM EST
    Was just what you would expect to see from republicans if the president ignoring bounty's on the US military was named Obama.  Or Clinton.

    We have all said so many times what would they do if Obama did "X".  Lincoln Project is doing it and they deserve credit for that I think.


    Parent

    Another one (none / 0) (#61)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 07:02:45 PM EST
    You Can't Always Get What You Want (none / 0) (#40)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 09:36:46 AM EST
    British rock legends The Rolling Stones have threatened legal action against Donald Trump for the US president's use of their song "You Can't Always Get What You Want" at campaign rallies.

    The band has appointed performing rights organisation BMI to try to stop him using the song, according to a statement given to US website, Deadline, overnight Saturday.

    "The BMI have notified the Trump campaign on behalf of the Stones that the unauthorised use of their songs will constitute a breach of its licensing agreement," read the statement, which was retweeted by the Rolling Stones official Twitter account

    "If Donald Trump disregards the exclusion and persists then he would face a lawsuit for breaking the embargo and playing music that has not been licensed."



    The theme song of my life... (none / 0) (#41)
    by fishcamp on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 09:44:49 AM EST


    The tweet has been removed (none / 0) (#42)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 10:16:29 AM EST
    Trump Shares Video of Man Chanting `White Power'

    June 28, 2020 at 11:02 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 20 Comments

    President Trump shared a video he said is from the Villages, a retirement community in Florida, in which a man driving a golf cart with Trump campaign sign is chanting "white power."

    The president thanked the "great people" shown in the video.

    Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) told CNN that Trump should take down the video as it is "indefensible."

    the video will live on


    Even (none / 0) (#43)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 11:22:02 AM EST
    in the Villages they are fighting. I don't know if that is good or bad. Probably good for us.

    Parent
    We have good friends who live there (none / 0) (#44)
    by Peter G on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 12:08:52 PM EST
    A retired Lesbian couple who love to golf. I can't imagine how they stand it.

    Parent
    I'd take my chances (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by jondee on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 01:34:07 PM EST
    retiring in Bismark, North Dakota.

    Florida seems to be morphing into a petri dish where God experiments with exotic, hither-to-unknown forms of lunacy.

    That woman raving about "Plandemics", Gates and Hillary, citizen's arrests, and the wrath of God at the Palm Beach County Commissioner's meeting the other day was the topper for me. She made the Unibomber sound like Norman Vincent Peale.

    Parent

    We have too (none / 0) (#46)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 03:35:37 PM EST
    many people who literally have been brainwashed by conservative propaganda. I don't know what the solution is though.

    Parent
    Yeah, a tremendous amount (none / 0) (#51)
    by jondee on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 05:05:09 PM EST
    of it isn't even the kind of propaganda you can have an honest, fruitful debate about. It's like trying to convince David Koresh of the benefits of secular humanism.

    They prefer to embrace explanations for events that are completely nutso rather than accept the fact that things happen in the world that are beyond anyone's control.

    Parent

    Fragile psyche (none / 0) (#47)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 04:32:50 PM EST

    Charles Gasparino
    @CGasparino
    BREAKING-- (thread)GOP operatives are for the first time raising the possibility that
    @realDonaldTrump
     could drop out of the race if his poll numbers don't rebound. Over the weekend I spoke to a sample of major players; one described Trumps current psyche as "fragile." I'm
    11:40 AM · Jun 28, 2020·Twitter for iPhone
    4.4K
     Retweets and comments
    10.3K
     Likes

    Charles Gasparino
    @CGasparino
    ·
    4h
    Replying to
    @CGasparino
    not convinced yet; he's got time and he's running against an opponent who is literally hiding in his basement. Plus the public isn't focusing yet on just how left wing
    @JoeBiden
     has become, so much so, he can bring himself to denounce rioting.
    1.2K
    339
    924

    Charles Gasparino
    @CGasparino
    ·
    4h
    That said the speculation indicates how tense  GOP operatives are about Trump losing and the party losing the senate and having their entire agenda abolished in a leftist wave election. Again lots of time and Trump has endured a horrible couple of months but that's the snap shot

    That's a FOX Business reporter.  This keeps coming up.  Every time is sounds more possible to me.

    I've always thought (none / 0) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 04:40:22 PM EST
    He would fear indictment.  But really, think about it.  The worst thing in his world is a loser.  He is on track to give Biden 400 electoral votes.  
    I think he might do anything, including taking his chances with the legal system, to stop that from happening.

    If he quits he can always be the one who vanquished Hillary.  If he stays ......

    And it would not be the first legal problem.  He might well think he can sue or buy his way out of this just like he always has.

    Parent

    Just my opinion (none / 0) (#53)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 05:38:00 PM EST
    but if it gets to the point where the GOP has enough support to get rid of him like cabinet members who say they will use the 25th he might resign. Jail time or Loser? Anyway we heard the GOP was going to replace him in 2016 and it never happened. Trump is still going to be an issue for Republicans even if they get rid of him.

    Parent
    That tweet (none / 0) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 05:40:03 PM EST
    Was not really about the GOP getting rid of him.  I personally don't think that would or even could ever happen.

    It was about him quitting to avoid losing.

    That seems possible to me.

    Parent

    Resign, like Nixon? Just announce he isn't (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by Peter G on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 08:13:56 PM EST
    running again, like LBJ? Or 25th Amend? Which is the least unlikely? BTW, my money is on his never being indicted for anything, no matter which of those three it is (or simply losing the election), in the grand U.S. tradition of "looking forward, not back."

    Parent
    I hope you are wrong on this one. (5.00 / 1) (#113)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 07:56:34 AM EST
    Screw tradition. There is nothing traditional about the current administration or occupant of 1600 PA. The next Administration, the next Congress should use every asset, every resource investigating every last member of the current administration, the consiglieres and family members. Lock them all up. Ivanka will look "posh" in an orange jumpsuit.


    Parent
    Avoiding losing (none / 0) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 08:23:31 PM EST
    Would probably look more like LBJ I guess.  But more like you don't deserve me than I don't deserve another term.

    As far as the future who know what the feds will do although I do think he will be charged with something federal.  

    But I do not think the State charges will be forgotten.

    Parent

    25th amendment (none / 0) (#68)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 08:41:11 PM EST
    Is least likely.  No way in hell they would ever have the stones to do that after all that's happened without a peep.

    That said this Russian bounty thing could get very very bad.

    The post just confirmed the times story

    The Washington Post confirms last week's blockbuster from the New York Times: "Russian bounties offered to Taliban-linked militants to kill coalition forces in Afghanistan are believed to have resulted in the deaths of several U.S. service members."

    "The intelligence was passed up from the U.S. Special Operations forces based in Afghanistan and led to a restricted high-level White House meeting in late March."

    And we have high profile republicans starting to squawk

    Liz Cheney

    @Liz_Cheney
     If reporting about Russian bounties on US forces is true, the White House must explain:
    1. Why weren't the president or vice president briefed? Was the info in the PDB?
    2. Who did know and when?
    3. What has been done in response to protect our forces & hold Putin accountable?

    64K
    6:20 AM - Jun 28, 202

    The question is I think which is worse, that he is lying or that he really didn't know.

    I think this could have real legs in a way lots of the other stuff has not,  so it might be more like when the republicans visited Nixon and said it's time to go or we will help you go.


    Parent

    Another question that I think could (none / 0) (#69)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 08:49:03 PM EST
    Give this more life is if we learn who, exactly, died at the hands of bounty hunters.

    Names and faces.

    Parent

    RawStory (none / 0) (#70)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 09:01:24 PM EST
    The Russian bounties resulted in the deaths of several U.S. service members in Afghanistan, the Washington Post reported Sunday. These deaths were from 2018 and 2019, according to the report so it's unclear what the number of soldiers could be. There were 10 deaths in Afghanistan in 2018 and 16 in 2019, so reporters are trying to gather the exact number of those deaths that resulted in bounty cash from Russia.



    Parent
    Names and faces (none / 0) (#109)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 07:15:46 PM EST
    Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) told The Hill that Congress needs to get to the bottom of what President Trump was told about Russia offering bounties to Taliban militants to kill coalition troops in Afghanistan, calling for a "proportional response" from the U.S.

    Said Sasse: "I've been hearing from military families in Nebraska constantly for the last 36 hours and they're livid. This is a story about the targeting of American men and women in uniform. This is about putting crosshairs on the backs of people who are fighting for our freedom. This is not about short-term politics."  

    Washington Post: Republicans once again face questions over why Trump isn't tougher on Russia.

    link

    Parent

    Names and faces (none / 0) (#138)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 10:00:53 PM EST
    Mothers of military sons killed in Afghanistan want probe of Russian death bounties

    The mothers of two members of the U.S. military killed in Afghanistan last year say they want a thorough investigation of reports that a Russian military intelligence unit offered bounties to Taliban-linked fighters for the deaths of American soldiers.

    One of service members was among three Marines who died in an attack that reports have said may have been related to a bounty that was actually paid.



    Parent
    The "denial" today from the DNI is not (none / 0) (#72)
    by Peter G on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 09:03:15 PM EST
    a real denial; as always, it is a weaselly deflection. And Tr*mp didn't deny it; he denied being briefed on it. Which is almost as bad, if you ask me. Assuming the intel is true, of course, which we do not and cannot really know.

    Parent
    He is famous for (none / 0) (#73)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 09:18:35 PM EST
    Refusing to read anything or even pay attention when they are trying to tell him stuff.

    I think it's believable he was told and either just wasn't paying attention or dismissed it because it was fake news about Russia

    But I think there will be consequences

    I also think we will likely eventually know if the report is true.

    Parent

    Yes, Trump (none / 0) (#94)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 11:48:24 AM EST
    says he was not briefed or told about the murder for hire scheme of Putin. I do not buy the idea that he was not told or that he never knew anything about it. But, either way, criminal or incompetent. I go with both.

    And, what about Esper and Pompeo?  

    Parent

    Trump is lying.... (none / 0) (#124)
    by desertswine on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 05:44:10 PM EST
    Oh, but I repeat myself.

    Parent
    In these days (none / 0) (#57)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 05:56:57 PM EST
    anything is possible. Right now the supposed "love the troops" Republicans are silent on Putin having the Taliban murder troops. I don't know if I have ever in my life seen such a worthless bunch in DC as these Republicans. I guess since it's probably not going to be reported on Fox the senators can pretend it never happened and scream fake news.

    Parent
    The thing (none / 0) (#50)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 04:42:01 PM EST
    is they are screwed one way or the other. Maybe Pence will keep their losses down which is the best they can hope for.

    However this whole Trump dropping out probably would be a good thing because he has done nothing but make things worse for the entire country by fanning the flames.

    Parent

    If Trump is muscled aside ... (none / 0) (#125)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 05:56:14 PM EST
    ... and Pence becomes the nominee, the GOP base will become demoralized and the Republicans will likely be wiped out across the board by a massive blue wave, the likes of which hasn't been seen since 1932 and '36. I think at this point, it's simply too late for them to change nominees. This is the sort of political discussion which needed to take place in the GOP last February or March, that is, assuming it's even taking place at all.

    Parent
    Why Does it Have to Be Pence? (none / 0) (#127)
    by RickyJim on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 07:31:13 PM EST
    The Republican National Convention takes place during the week of Aug. 24.  If Trump drops out before then, can't the delegates vote for Romney, Kasich, Gingrich, Graham or a host of other candidates on the first ballot?

    Parent
    Say what you will (none / 0) (#52)
    by Repack Rider on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 05:32:08 PM EST
    ...about Trump's repellent personality, he has one. He is more comfortable on a stage than anywhere else.

    OTOH, I can't imagine how such a robotic speaker as Pence ever won an election.

    If Pence is the standard bearer as a result of a Trump resignation, the landslide only gets worse.

    Parent

    I agree (none / 0) (#54)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 05:38:04 PM EST
    Besides Pence being terrible and having made a complete fool of himself with his doe eyed Trump worship I think Trump quitting would be a disaster for Republicans.

    Hard to even imagine

    What would the slogan be?

    WE DON'T ENABLE HIM ANYMORE

    ?

    Parent

    For one thing (none / 0) (#56)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 05:44:10 PM EST
    If he resigned I would expect most of the Republican base to be demoralized and stay home.  We might win 60 senate seats.

    Parent
    If (none / 0) (#58)
    by FlJoe on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 06:07:04 PM EST
    it happens I bet tRump will blame his fellow Republicans, maybe even more than Democrats.


    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#59)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 06:12:30 PM EST
    I was thinking after that comment that Trump might like the idea of blowing up the party big time.

    I can totally see him wanting to take as many down with him as possible

    They were weak.  They didn't protect him and carry out his edicts


    Parent

    Trial balloon (none / 0) (#108)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 07:10:10 PM EST
    From another FOX host on air this time

    Fox News host Trace Gallagher suggested on Monday that President Donald Trump "might drop out" of the 2020 presidential race.

    Gallagher made the remarks after a Fox News report speculated that Trump could exit the race "if his poll numbers don't improve."

    "President Trump's poll numbers declining in recent weeks amid criticism of his administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic," the Fox News host said, "which is leading some speculation that if his support keeps falling, the president might drop out of the race."



    Parent
    I suggested this to the missus (none / 0) (#112)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 07:50:31 AM EST
    a couple of weeks ago. Then Joe Scarborough floated the idea last week.

    I do believe the orange moron would rather drop out than lose. He could drop out and claim America doesn't appreciate him enough. The idea of losing to Joe Biden is making his head explode. And he can't be tagged as a "LOSER."

    Granted this is a long shot, but entirely within the realm of possible.


    Parent

    Carvill (none / 0) (#199)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 03:58:43 PM EST
    James Carville told MSNBC that he believes there's a "significant chance" that President Trump will drop out of the presidential race.

    Said Carville: "I think there is a significant chance he doesn't run. This thing is going so poorly. He's so far back. It doesn't make much sense for him to run."



    Parent
    I think it's becoming more (none / 0) (#201)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 04:24:05 PM EST
    likely with the Maxwell arrest. It seems like this may have been the reason Trump wanted a toady at SDNY.

    Parent
    Trumps (none / 0) (#62)
    by jondee on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 07:55:31 PM EST
    YELLING IN PRINT!!! again.

    "Sleepy Joe" needs to hire Maher or someone to get him up to speed on how to issue a slap-down to a slob with more mouth than brains.

    I think he needs to do (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 08:25:39 PM EST
    Exactly what he has been doing.

    Parent
    If you're counting (none / 0) (#71)
    by jondee on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 09:01:49 PM EST
    on the people's eyes 'finally being opened' by a Trump slow-motion implosion, you have more faith in the acuity of the American people than I do.

    Parent
    Check the polls (none / 0) (#74)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 28, 2020 at 09:20:53 PM EST
    Any of them.  Something new is happening.

    Parent
    Agreed. (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 10:20:01 AM EST
    Joe should continue just what he is doing.  Speak, primarily., through professionally developed and edited videos.  This campaign approach has been a bane to Trump, who is looking for anything to twist or use for trickery and deceit.  This confounds the way Trump campaigns.

    Biden's policies, which are progressive and extensive, are set forth on his website, and can be amplified over time by him and with the assistance of surrogates.  Campaigning in 2020 needs more in-the-box than  out-of-the box thinking.

    Parent

    He's 77 years old (none / 0) (#75)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 06:13:27 AM EST
    What you see is what you get. Can't train an old dog new tricks etc.

    Parent
    Notorious SBC (none / 0) (#76)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 07:28:43 AM EST
    Sacha Baron Cohen Pulls Epic Prank on Far-Right Militia Event
    BRUTAL
    The comedian got the rally's conservative crowd to sing along with him about injecting Obama, Dr. Fauci and others with the "Wuhan flu."

    According to event organizers, Baron Cohen first disguised himself as the leader of a PAC that wanted to sponsor the rally and then hired his own security to block them from getting him off the stage or cutting off the power once he had started performing.  



    Thanks for the laugh. (none / 0) (#78)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 08:42:25 AM EST
    Now I have a video to respond to all the Wuhan Flu morons.

    Parent
    SBC's "humor" does nothing for me (none / 0) (#88)
    by Peter G on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 10:20:48 AM EST
    I really don't like his cartoonish, supercilious, mocking style.  

    Parent
    Ahhhh (none / 0) (#89)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 10:22:00 AM EST
    Monday schadenfreude (none / 0) (#77)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 07:34:29 AM EST
    Facebook advertising boycott grows

    So far over 180 companies have signed up to the #StopHateForProfit campaign that is pushing for the social media giant to tackle hate speech and misinformation on its platforms.



    Court says resume executions. And abortions (none / 0) (#80)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 09:08:32 AM EST

    Supreme Court Allows Feds to Resume Executions

    June 29, 2020 at 9:59 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 6 Comments

    "The Supreme Court will not take up a challenge to new federal death penalty protocols proposed by the Justice Department, which wants to resume executions as early as July for the first time since 2003," the Washington Post reports.

    "The court, without comment, declined Monday to take up the lawsuit filed by four death row inmates. As is customary, it gave no reason. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor said they would have accepted the case."

    The abortion news is breaking.  Roberts once again sided with the sane.

    NBC (none / 0) (#81)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 09:11:36 AM EST
    Wonder (none / 0) (#82)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 09:39:19 AM EST
    if this overturns the odious GA law.

    Parent
    Today's decision in June Medical (Louisiana law) (5.00 / 1) (#84)
    by Peter G on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 10:02:40 AM EST
    reaffirms the precedent set a few years ago in Whole Women's Health (Texas law), invalidating the admitting privileges rule (itself disingenuous as a purported "protection" of women's health). I expected this vote from Roberts, because the opinion of the Fifth Circuit (federal court of appeals) pretending to "distinguish" Whole Women's Health was so egregiously disingenuous in failing to follow Supreme Court precedent. Usually (but not always) Roberts is more offended by intellectual dishonesty and disrespect for the Supreme Court than he is committed to his reactionary jurisprudence. Unlike Alito, Thomas and Kavanaugh.  And sometimes Gorsuch.

    Parent
    As to Georgia, today's decision reaffirms (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by Peter G on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 10:08:11 AM EST
    the precedent set in Whole Women's Health in 2016. I am not familiar with the litigation around the Georgia law, but if the 11th Circuit upheld a set of restrictions on women's access to abortion care by attempting a bogus distinction of the Texas law that the Supreme Court invalidated in Whole Women's Health, then yes, today's decision may be invoked to strike down the Georgia law.

    Parent
    A precedent (none / 0) (#86)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 10:17:40 AM EST
    That Roberts voted against in 2016, right?

    A lot to of chatter the last couple of weeks was hand wringing that the favorable decisions we had gotten the last few weeks was to soften us up for bad news on abortion.

    I particularly remember Nina Totenberg writing and saying this.

    Now we have Trump taxes and faithless electors in the next week or so.

    Parent

    Right. Precedent is precedent. How a judge (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by Peter G on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 10:30:57 AM EST
    voted at the time does not change that (except for Thomas, who does not really believe in the doctrine of "stare decisis" ["what is decided should stand"; i.e., precedent]). I would not be surprised if they issue decisions every day this week, through Thursday, and thus clear the year's docket prior to the July 4 holiday weekend. Typically they try to be done by June 30, but given the need to postpone some in-person arguments from April into video-arguments in May, that doesn't look like it will quite be possible.

    Parent
    Do you agree that this (none / 0) (#91)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 10:37:06 AM EST
    Precedent about precedent with Roberts in this case is very bad news for the overturn Roe crowd?

    Pretty much precedent.

    Parent

    Because (none / 0) (#92)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 10:40:08 AM EST
    Bobble heads are saying this was a very narrow decision and should not be at all seen as evidence Roberts is a friend of abortion.

    And that the might be fine with some other restriction that was less goofy?

    Parent

    As Dahlia Lithwick very wisely puts it (5.00 / 1) (#111)
    by Peter G on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 07:54:11 PM EST
    [T]he drumbeat that fêtes Roberts as a "liberal" or a "moderate" or "evolving" fails to capture what he is. [H]e is a lifelong conservative, an avowed abortion opponent, and a supporter of capacious religious liberties that will swallow crucial civil liberties who also still cares -- mercifully -- about appearances, institutions, truth, stability, the appearance of adulthood and competence, and above all, the long game.
    Slate.

    Parent
    And by the way (none / 0) (#99)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 12:56:07 PM EST
    Ron Brownstein notes that despite assurances from Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) that he views abortion rights as "settled law," Justice Brett Kavanaugh voted to severely restrict abortion access in Louisiana in the Supreme Court's decision earlier this morning

    twitter

    Parent

    All discussion about the rules surrounding (none / 0) (#95)
    by Peter G on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 12:01:51 PM EST
    precedent these days is shadow-boxing and foundation-laying about Roe v Wade, of course. And all of it is deliberately cryptic.

    Parent
    My non lawyer opinion is (none / 0) (#98)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 12:20:45 PM EST
    That's a good answer.

    Beyond that I think I might just this one time agree with J Toobin, something is going on with Roberts.

    Can't wait for the tax thing.

    Parent

    Spooked by the (5.00 / 2) (#110)
    by MKS on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 07:20:00 PM EST
    "pack the Court" idea circulating in some circles?

    Parent
    So, I was mostly right but not 100% (none / 0) (#134)
    by Peter G on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 09:40:18 PM EST
    No opinions tomorrow (Wednesday). But the Court will be back Thursday 7/2. They could issue all remaining opinions then, since Friday 7/3 is a federal court holiday this year. But maybe they'll even go into next week!

    Parent
    Thanks for the heads up Peter. (none / 0) (#96)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 12:10:13 PM EST
    Being a novice I checked the decision on Wiki and yes the GA Law directly goes against Whole Women. So I guess they will just let the law expire or undo it? I'm not sure where the GA law goes from here. I guess if the supreme court ruled a case with similar laws is ruled invalid then it invalidates the GA law?

    Sorry for being dense.

    Parent

    Some appropriate abortion rights advocate (none / 0) (#102)
    by Peter G on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 02:53:36 PM EST
    be that ACLU or Planned Parenthood or the Center for Reproductive Rights, or whoever, will sue to overturn the GA law, or amend some pending lawsuit on that subject, invoking today's decision as precedent, and a judge will rule. The process is not automatic as you suggest.

    Parent
    The word is the most interesting part (none / 0) (#83)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 09:48:02 AM EST
    Is in his decision Roberts says that even tho he voted against a, I guess similar, case from TX when Kennedy was still on the court and he was actually in the minority, he considers that case president and decided this one based that decision.

    I trust Peter or others will correct the words I misused there.

    The point being as Toobin just said, "something is going on with Roberts"

    And it means, they say, there are not the votes to overturn Roe v Wade.

    AND it means the court just became a bigger election issue.

    Trump will definitely be tweeting about the need for more of the "right" kind of justices.

    Parent

    Personally (none / 0) (#97)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 12:12:57 PM EST
    I have personally seen some "pro-life" conservatives sweating bullets over the possibility of Roe being overturned. One saying to the point that it can't be overturned because 2/3 of the states approve or some such. I mean that made zero sense to me. Basically I think since 2/3 of the country does not want it overturned the GOP knows that they would get destroyed at the polls.

    Parent
    Conservatives don't want Roe overturned (none / 0) (#101)
    by MO Blue on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 01:42:19 PM EST
    If Roe was overturned, the Republicans would risk  losing support of much of their base who are one issue voters.

    Parent
    You would (none / 0) (#104)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 03:03:17 PM EST
    think though that at some point it would have dawned on them that the GOP really does not want to overturn it or the fact that they finally got 6 conservative justices on the supreme court and it still is not overturned.

    Personally I think they need to accept that the culture war is lost and move on but I'm certain that won't happen. They will still keep fighting.

    Parent

    Inquiring Minds (none / 0) (#100)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 01:27:41 PM EST
    Want to Know.  Republicans are on it--- Liz Cheney on the Putin murder for hire program.  Why weren't the president and Vice President briefed?   Was the info in the president's daily briefing.?  Who did know and when? What has been done in response to protecting our forces & holding  Putin accountable?

    Rep. Daniel Crenshaw (R. TX) and a former Navy Seal, tweeted. "We need answers."  All of which seems to be a notch below Susan Collins' "troubled".

    The "Republicans Only" (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 03:08:00 PM EST
    Briefing happening now is almost comically ham handed.

    Really?  Republicans only.  Ok.

    Parent

    I'll be gone in the dark (none / 0) (#103)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 02:54:28 PM EST
    Started last night on HBO.  Not the biggest true crime fan but it's looks very good.  I forgot about it till I saw this.  It's about Michelle McNamara the wife of actor Patton Oswalt who sadly died before it aired but also died before the Golden State Killer plead guilty.  Today.

    Golden State Killer Pleads Guilty

    It seemed (5.00 / 2) (#107)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 03:25:51 PM EST
    a little disjointed to me. The crime procedural, victims and the life-long impacts, the personal story of Ms. McNamara, Patton Oswald's stand-up.  All strands of the story interesting in their own right, but it did not gel.  And, was distracting.

    As, the first in the series, it may be developmental and come together.  I will stick with it a while. Longer.

    My enjoyment with Perry Mason continues.  The production qualities and faithfulness to the period are worth the price of admission.

    Parent

    I agree about In The Dark, Dan (none / 0) (#116)
    by McBain on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 10:47:31 AM EST
    It was interesting but the back and forth between the crimes and the obsession of the writer didn't quite work for me. I might get back into it later.

    Parent
    If you haven't (none / 0) (#120)
    by KeysDan on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 03:43:17 PM EST
    already seen the Netflix series "Rectify". I think you might enjoy it.  Also, "River", a British police procedural with a psychological overlay.  

    I noted you did not care much for Perry Mason, but I gave it a try, and as mentioned above, found it dark, but Perry is a good cynical malevolent character in keeping with the best film noir.


    Parent

    I enjoyed the first couple seasons (none / 0) (#147)
    by McBain on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 10:54:43 AM EST
    of Rectify but got a little frustrated with how slow the story moved.

    I'll probably give Perry Mason another chance at some point.  Right now, I'm trying to minimize my TV violence, cruelty, serial killer type shows, which doesn't leave much.  

    I gave Space Force a second chance and have been enjoying that in small doses.  I finished up the second season of Homeland, which was pretty good.

    I gave up on AT&T TV which is similar to Xfinity cable.  I had a two weak free trial and didn't use it much.  One thing I really like about just using various streaming services, is when I turn on the TV I get a quiet menu screen, not some noisy cable channel I was watching when I last turned it off.

    Parent

    Rolling Stone (none / 0) (#105)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 29, 2020 at 03:05:45 PM EST
    "I had a murder habit, and it was bad," Michelle McNamara says early in the new HBO documentary series I'll Be Gone in the Dark. "I would feed it for the rest of my life."
    Like many things McNamara said or wrote, these words prove sadly prophetic. An acclaimed true crime writer, McNamara unexpectedly died in 2016 at the age of 46 while trying to complete the book on which the HBO show is based, an epic account of the crimes of the man she dubbed the Golden State Killer. He had been responsible for so many different California crime sprees in the Seventies and Eighties that he already had multiple nicknames -- the Visalia Ransacker, the East Area Rapist, and the Original Night Stalker -- as it took years for law enforcement to realize all were the heinous work of the same person. McNamara drew new public attention to a man she once described as "the worst serial offender in modern history that no one really knows about," and helped weave the many complicated strands of his crimes, and their impact on his many victims, into one clear and compelling tapestry. But in the process, the TV version of McNamara's story argues, her murder habit ultimately killed her.

    LINK


    Parent

    While I was watching Joseph DeAngelo Jr. ... (5.00 / 1) (#126)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 06:13:12 PM EST
    ... on the streaming internet broadcast yesterday morning as he appeared before a Sacramento district court judge to plead guilty, it was rather surreal to think that this rather frail 74-year-old ex-police officer in an orange prison jumpsuit and wheelchair was the same guy who once terrorized the California of my youth as the now-notorious "Golden State Killer."

    I hope this provides DeAngelo's still-living victims and the families of those he killed with some sense of closure.

    I'm glad it's over.

    Parent

    Amy McGrath win is KY (none / 0) (#117)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 11:20:11 AM EST
    They just finally called it

    94% in 45 - 43

    Biden just called the ACA (none / 0) (#118)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 12:08:15 PM EST
    "Obamacare"

    Interesting.

    The power of contrast (none / 0) (#119)
    by jondee on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 03:28:44 PM EST
    Biden should pay Trump for making him seem like Lincoln, Confucius,and Marcus Aurelius rolled into one.

    Parent
    RIP Carl Reiner (5.00 / 2) (#121)
    by jondee on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 04:41:52 PM EST
    who just died at 98.

    He brought a lot of smiles to a lot of people's faces. What more can you ask?

    Parent

    An interesting part of (5.00 / 2) (#160)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 05:18:43 PM EST
    the NYTimes obituary of Carl Reiner:

    "After graduating from Evander Childs High School in the Bronx, he went to work as a machinist's helper and seemed headed for a career repairing sewing machines. Then, one day has older brother, Charlie, mentioned seeing a newspaper article about a free acting class being given by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the New Deal jobs agency.

    Carl tried his hand at acting, found he was good at it, hung up his machinist's apron and joined a theater group>"  

    The rest is comedy history.

    Parent

    Voters in OK vote to expand Medicaid (none / 0) (#128)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 09:02:27 PM EST
    As Trump tries to kill it.

    Rachel just said with something like 75% in it's ahead

    State Question 802 will be the only state question on the ballot for Oklahoma voters for the June 30 primary election. The question asks whether or not to expand Medicaid, a government-sponsored health insurance program for qualifying low-income persons, in Oklahoma.

    If the proposal passes, approximately 200,000 more people will be eligible for the state's Medicaid program. That's about 20 percent of Oklahoma's total estimated population.

    Voting yes, for the proposal, is a vote to expand Medicaid coverage for low-income adults aged 64 or younger. Voting no, against the proposal, is a vote to keep Medicaid coverage as is in Oklahoma.

    Oklahoma is one of 14 states, including neighboring states Texas, Kansas and Missouri, to have not yet expanded Medicaid.



    86% in (none / 0) (#129)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 09:04:40 PM EST
    95% in (none / 0) (#135)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 09:42:22 PM EST
    Ahead by roughly the same amount.

    Parent
    As authorized by the ACA (Obamacare) (none / 0) (#130)
    by Peter G on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 09:18:32 PM EST
    but rejected for political reasons by several Republican governors. I presume this ballot measure is to override the governor and legislature.

    Parent
    I believe that's what it says (none / 0) (#132)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 09:23:21 PM EST
    Yup, it says (none / 0) (#136)
    by Peter G on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 09:44:50 PM EST
    "to maximize federal funding for Medicaid in Oklahoma." Although it doesn't use the word "Obamacare" or "Affordable Care Act," that's exactly what it means. Putting in the state constitution, rather than a voter initiative to enact legislation (assuming Oklahoma even allows that), prevents a future legislature from repealing it.

    Parent
    As you said (5.00 / 3) (#171)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 08:00:15 PM EST
    "A New York appellate judge ruled on Wednesday that the publisher Simon & Schuster could go ahead with its plans to release a tell-all book by Mary L. Trump, the niece of President Trump, reversing a lower court's decision from this week that had temporarily halted publication," the New York Times reports.

    "In court papers filed on Tuesday, Simon & Schuster claimed that tens of thousands of copies of the book had already been printed, adding that it is a best seller on Amazon."



    Parent
    Poor (none / 0) (#174)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 08:58:09 PM EST
    Uncle Trump.

    Parent
    Whew. That's a relief, not to be embarrassed (none / 0) (#175)
    by Peter G on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 09:54:42 PM EST
    at going out on a limb with a public prediction of how an unusual court case will work out.

    Parent
    However, my other prediction was wrong (none / 0) (#176)
    by Peter G on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 09:57:34 PM EST
    The Supreme Court will not be announcing more end-of-Term opinions tomorrow (Thursday). Not until Monday, according to SCOTUSblog.

    Parent
    Unconstitutional restraining order entered (none / 0) (#131)
    by Peter G on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 09:21:14 PM EST
    in NY local court against release of Tr*mp's niece's book. In place until a hearing next Monday, unless sooner vacated by a state appellate court, which is what I predict will happen.

    I was going to ask you (none / 0) (#133)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 09:24:04 PM EST
    What you thought about that.

    Parent
    Appellate judge (none / 0) (#180)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Jul 02, 2020 at 10:29:03 AM EST
    lifts restraining order. I figured that was going to happen.

    Parent
    Hickenlooper wins (none / 0) (#137)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 30, 2020 at 09:55:30 PM EST
    John Hickenlooper overcame a rocky month to defeat Andrew Romanoff in a Democratic U.S. Senate primary, setting the stage for a November faceoff with Sen. Cory Gardner, the Denver Post reports.



    Pretty wild (none / 0) (#159)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 04:10:07 PM EST
     Have been reading about Thomas for a while.  Alito is new to me.

    Thomas AND Alito might go before the end of the year

    Because things are just not crazy enough

    The potential retirement of Justice Thomas, who by most measures is the most conservative jurist on the nation's top court, set off a firestorm on social media among some court-watching conservatives and liberals - even though Costa noted that "Thomas has not given any indication" he is retiring.

    Costa's reporting was, he says, seen by far right wing pundit Hugh Hewitt, who told his "radio audience this morning that he hears from several leading conservatives that Justice Alito, 70, is considering retirement, and adds that he also hears the Alito family is ready to leave Washington, D.C."



    Sounds like a desparate. (5.00 / 1) (#161)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 05:28:40 PM EST
    roll of the dice---and, snake eyes.   Quite the partisan move, but Thomas and Alito are very much up to it. Oh boy, though, having both Alito and Thomas gone with Biden appointing successors would be great. The incentive would work both ways.

    Parent
    On one hand (none / 0) (#162)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 05:40:01 PM EST
    It's less scary because it's hard to imagine doing worse than either of them.  The downside obviously having 2 terrible 40yos

    But it would definitely make sense to them.  The senate looks more gone every day.  And it looks like it might be gone for a long time.

    Jump now or stay till you drop.

    But man.  Can you imagine what even one Supreme Court nomination would be like in the next 5 months?

    Parent

    First one up (none / 0) (#165)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 06:15:58 PM EST
    should be Merrick Garland so he can look at Kavanaugh and Gorsuch everyday.

    I think Kavanaugh may end up getting removed due to lying under oath.

    Parent

    Judge Garland (5.00 / 1) (#167)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 07:09:46 PM EST
    Is now 67 years of age.   Need to look to a young liberal.

    Parent
    Definitely (none / 0) (#170)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 07:59:58 PM EST
    Garland, considered a moderate,  was an attempt to get an Obama pick approved by a Republican majority Senate.

    Hopefully, if Biden is given the opportunity, he will take your advise and pick a younger more liberal candidate.  

    Parent

    I think uncle joe has committed (none / 0) (#166)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 06:30:26 PM EST
    To a woman of color.  

    Parent
    Just trying to scare (5.00 / 1) (#168)
    by MKS on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 07:46:37 PM EST
    up conservative votes....

    Neither one likely to go anywhere.

    Parent

    Why would it scare up (none / 0) (#169)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 07:56:08 PM EST
    Conservative votes?

    Parent
    They are worried (none / 0) (#172)
    by MKS on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 08:05:36 PM EST
    both will retire and Biden will replace them.

      Thus, you must vote for Trump because of.....Judges.....a Hugh Hewitt favorite mantra.

    Parent

    Well (none / 0) (#173)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2020 at 08:13:25 PM EST
    The thing about Thomas has been around for months.  And imo it's not about "scaring up votes" although they might hope that was an added benefit

    It's because it's becoming more clear every day that not only will Biden be placing judges in January but he will have a democratic senate to help him.

    They want to leave when a Republican President and senate can replace them.  I think it's  more like acceptance of reality than strategy.

    And Hewitt might be a vile stain on journalism but he has excellent conservative sources.

    If he says Alito is considering it too I believe him.

    Parent

    Well (none / 0) (#202)
    by CryptoRobotics on Fri Jun 24, 2022 at 07:13:44 AM EST
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